Growing Patterns — When the Step Changes (Grades 4–5)
In a growing pattern the step itself gets bigger each time: 1, 2, 4, 7, 11 grows by 1, then 2, then 3, then 4. To extend it, look at the differences — if they increase steadily, add the next bigger step. Growing patterns are the bridge to square numbers and more advanced rules.
Understanding growing patterns
In a growing pattern the step itself gets bigger each time: 1, 2, 4, 7, 11 grows by 1, then 2, then 3, then 4. To extend it, look at the differences — if they increase steadily, add the next bigger step. Growing patterns are the bridge to square numbers and more advanced rules.
Key Idea
In a growing pattern the step itself gets bigger each time: 1, 2, 4, 7, 11 grows by 1, then 2, then 3, then 4. To extend it, look at the differences — if they increase steadily, add the next bigger step. Growing patterns are the bridge to square numbers and more advanced rules.
Seeing it in action
Worked example
Continue: 1, 2, 4, 7, __.
Differences: +1, +2, +3 — so the next step is +4. Next = 7 + 4 = 11.
The step changes in a pattern of its own.
Try a few
1, 3, 6, 10, __
steps +2,+3,+4,+5.
2, 3, 5, 8, __
steps +1,+2,+3,+4.
1, 2, 4, 7, 11, __
next step +5.
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